PRESEASON MATCH RECAP | FC Dallas 2, Portland Timbers 1

TUCSON, Ariz. – Resuming play in the 2018 Mobile Mini Sun Cup, the Portland Timbers fell to FC Dallas 2-1 at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday. Forward Samuel Armenteros scored the lone goal for the Timbers, recording his first goal with the club in his Timbers preseason debut.

Preseason progression
In Saturday’s match against FC Dallas, 21 players saw the field for the Timbers, with Portland’s first group playing more minutes together in the team’s fourth preseason fixture of the 2018 campaign. Forward Fanendo Adi and midfielder Diego Valeri each played almost the full 90 minutes for the first time this preseason, with Adi logging 85 minutes and Valeri recording 80 minutes played. Additionally, center backs Liam Ridgewell and Larrys Mabiala logged 76 minutes each, while midfielder Lawrence Olum also played 90 minutes in the game against Dallas, as the Timbers continue to progress toward the regular season.

Timbers preseason debut
After being acquired by the club on loan on Feb. 9, Armenteros made his first official preseason appearance for the Timbers in the 2018 Mobile Mini Sun Cup, entering Saturday’s match in the 66th minute for midfielder Dairon Asprilla. Playing alongside Adi, Armenteros found the back of the net four minutes after entering the game, converting Valeri’s pass in the 70th minute to cut into Dallas’ lead. Armenteros is the third different player to score for the Timbers in four games played in the 2018 preseason.

Key plays
FC Dallas took the lead 15 minutes into the first half after a turnover deep inside the Timbers’ defensive third allowed midfielder Michael Barrios to find forward Maximiliano Urruti inside the area, with the striker hitting a strong effort into the roof of the goal to give FC Dallas a 1-0 edge.

Shortly after the opening goal, the Timbers created their strongest chance of the half when a quick combination play led to a close-range chance for midfielder Dairon Asprilla, who struck his effort just wide of the target in the 24th minute of play.

Moments before halftime, FC Dallas doubled its lead in the 38th minute when Urruti scored his second goal of the game, converting Barrios’ cross into the six-yard box to propel Dallas to a two-goal lead going into the break.

In the 57th minute, Portland created another chance to score when Valeri slipped a pass in behind for midfielder Sebastián Blanco, who played a dangerous cross through the six-yard box, just narrowly missing Adi for a tap-in from close range.

Four minutes after entering the game, Armenteros brought the Timbers back within a goal when he scored his first preseason goal in his first appearance with the Timbers in the 70th minute of play. The goal took place after Valeri received the ball on the half turn and quickly slipped a pass in behind for Armenteros, who calmly slotted a left-footed effort into the far corner.

Next Game
Next up, the Timbers will continue play in the 2018 Mobile Mini Sun Cup when the team faces the New York Red Bulls at Kino Sports Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Beginning at 1 p.m. (Pacific), Wednesday’s match will be streamed live on www.timbers.com.